Stacked plate for a stacked-plate heat exchanger and associated stacked-plate heat exchanger

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure concerns a stacked plate for a stacked-plate heat exchanger, e.g., for a motor vehicle. The stacked plate includes an inlet, an outlet, and a U-shaped flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet. A raised separating web is disposed along a longitudinal centre of the stacked plate, and extends between the inlet and the outlet and provide a U-shaped extent of the U-shaped flow path. The separating web includes at least one U-shaped protrusion and at least one separating web portion projecting from the separating web.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to German Application No. DE 10 2019 201 387.2 filed Feb. 4, 2019, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a stacked plate for a stacked-plate heat exchanger for a motor vehicle. In addition, the invention relates to a stacked-plate heat exchanger having at least two such stacked plates.

BACKGROUND

Stacked-plate heat exchangers are thoroughly known and employed in many applications such as for example chillers, evaporators, oil coolers, condensers etc. Such stacked-plate heat exchangers have a heat exchanger block with a multiplicity of stacked plates stacked on top of one another which each have an inlet and an outlet. Usually, the individual stacked plates are formed as identical parts and merely arranged on one another twisted by 180° about a vertical axis and soldered to one another in this state. In addition, each of these stacked plates usually has a raised edge, to which they are tightly soldered to an edge of a stacked plate located above and below. Each plane of the stacked plate cooler is flowed through by a fluid wherein in each case a plane is alternatingly arranged on top of one another with a heat-transferring fluid and a plane with a heat-absorbing fluid. In order to be able to be able to achieve as high as possible a heat exchange, as long as possible a flow path limited by two adjacent stacked plates is desirable, which is why often a raised separating web extending in the longitudinal centre is provided, which enforces a U-shaped flow path in each plane.

However when such a separating web extends merely linearly along a longitudinal centre plane a full-surface flow through the flow path is subverted under certain conditions since in particular in a region extending directly adjacent to the separating web a lower flow resistance materialises, where it ensures a higher volumetric flow. This is the case in particular when for example a flow guiding contour formed as a bead in the flow path is not completely drawn up to the separating web. When the flow guiding contour formed as a bead is drawn into the separating web in order to avoid a bypass at this location, a breach in the region of the separating web is created however, as a result of which a part of the fluid takes a shortcut from the inlet via the breach to the outlet and by way of this likewise reduces a heat transfer output.

SUMMARY

The present invention therefore deals with the problem of stating an improved or at least an alternative embodiment for a stacked plate of the generic type which in particular overcomes the disadvantages known from the prior art.

According to the invention, this problem is solved through the subject of the independent claim(s). Advantageous embodiments are subject of the dependent claims.

The present invention is based on the general idea of providing at least one U-shaped protrusion and at least one separating web portion projecting from the separating web in the region of a separating web that is raised out of a stacked plate plane, which is provided for enforcing a U-shaped flow path, so that in the case of stacked plates that are twisted by 180° about a vertical axis relative to one another and which are stacked on top of one another and soldered to one another, neither a separating web-near bypass nor a breach through the separating web and thus a short circuit are present. By way of this, the fluid flowing from the inlet to the outlet can be forced through the entire U-shaped path and because of this a high heat transfer output achieved. With an arrangement of two stacked plates stacked on top of one another and soldered to one another and simultaneously twisted by 180° about a vertical axis perpendicularly to a stacked plate plane it can thus be achieved that each raised U-shaped protrusion of a stacked plate is soldered to a non-raised surrounding region of a separating web portion of a stacked plate arranged on or below the same and by way of this a continuous and tight separating web is achieved.

In an advantageous further development of the solution according to the invention, raised flow guiding contours are provided in the region of the flow path. Such raised flow guiding contours can be formed for example as elevations. By way of such flow guiding contours, in particular so-called “dead water regions” can be avoided and because of this a homogenous flow through the flow path enforced, as a result of which a particularly high heat exchanger output can be achieved.

In an advantageous further development of the solution according to the invention, at least two U-shaped protrusions and two separating web portions projecting from the separating web are provided. By way of this, an even more improved tight soldering of the separating web including separating web portions and U-shaped protrusions can be achieved between two adjacent stacked plates.

Practically, the U-shaped protrusions are arranged on the one side and the separating web portions on the other side of the separating web. By way of this it can be achieved that with two stacked plates stacked on top of one another, which are twisted by 180° about a vertical axis projecting perpendicularly to the plate plane, each raised separating web portion of a stacked plate is soldered to a non-raised centre portion of a U-shaped protrusion of a stacked plate arranged on or below the same and because of this a continuous tight separating web is achieved.

Practically, the stacked plate is formed from aluminium or from sheet metal. In particular, the design as sheet metal shaped part offers major manufacturing and also monetary advantages. When the stacked plate is formed from aluminium, elevated heat exchange rates can be achieved since aluminium has a high thermal conduction coefficient.

The present invention, furthermore, is based on the general idea of equipping a stacked-plate heat exchanger with at least two stacked plates according to the previous paragraphs, wherein the stacked plates are alternatingly arranged on one another twisted by 180° about a vertical axis extending perpendicularly to the stacked plate plane and soldered to one another, so that in the region of a separating web a continuous soldering is present. By means of such a stacked-plate heat exchanger according to the invention, in particular the problems known from the prior art such as for example an undesirable bypass flow with a linear separating web as well as breaches in the case of beads drawn into the separating web can be avoided.

Further important features and advantages are obtained from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated figure description by way of the drawings.

It is to be understood that the features mentioned above and still to be explained in the following cannot only be used in the respective combination stated but also in other combinations or by themselves without leaving the scope of the present invention.

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein same reference characters relate to same or similar or functionally same components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings show, in each case schematically

FIG. 1 a view from above of a stacked plate not covered by the invention according to the prior art,

FIG. 2 a sectional representation along the section plane A-A through the stacked plate shown according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 a view from above of a further stacked plate not covered by the invention,

FIG. 4 the stacked plate shown according to FIG. 3 with short circuits that occur during the operation,

FIG. 5 a view of a stacked plate according to the invention,

FIG. 6 a view as in FIG. 5, however with a stacked plate twisted by 180° about a vertical axis standing perpendicularly to the sheet plane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to the FIGS. 5 and 6, a stacked plate 1 shown there in each case of a stacked-plate heat exchanger 2 which is not otherwise shown, comprises an inlet 3 and an outlet 4 and a flow path 5, which extends U-shaped between the inlet 3 and the outlet 4. Likewise provided is a raised separating web 6 extending in the longitudinal centre, which extends between the inlet 3 and the outlet 4 and brings about the U-shaped flow path 5. According to the invention, this separating web 6 now has at least one U-shaped protrusion 7, here two U-shaped protrusions 7, and at least one separating web portion 8 projecting from the separating web 6, here two separating web portions 8 projecting therefrom. By way of the separating web 6 formed according to the invention, a continuous soldering seam 9 along the separating web 6, the protrusions 7 and the separating web portions 8 can be achieved, as a result of which a bypass flow (see FIG. 1) or a short circuit in the form of a breach (see FIGS. 3 and 4) can be avoided.

In the figure description, all embodiments not covered by the invention are marked with an additional apostrophe on the reference number. Looking at the stacked plate 1′ according to the FIGS. 1 and 2 not covered by the invention it is evident that the same has flow guiding contours 10′ arranged in the region of the flow path 5′, but which however in the region of the separating web 6′ are not run up to the same. During the operation of the stacked plate 1′, for example in an associated plate heat exchanger 2′ of a motor vehicle, a bypass flow 11′ thus occurs between the flow guiding contours 10′, which can be formed for example as beads, and the adjacent separating web 6′, wherein in the region of the bypass flow 11′ an increased volumetric flow flows, which does not flow via the normal flow path 5′ and therefore cannot be utilised there for a heat exchange either. Such a bypass flow 11′ thus reduces the heat exchange output of the stacked-plate heat exchanger 2′ substantially.

Looking at the stacked plates 1′ according to the FIGS. 3 and 4 which are likewise not covered by the invention, a separating web 6′ is again noticeable there, wherein however individual flow guiding contours 10′, for example beads, are connected to the separating web 6′ or merge into these. When two such stacked plates 1′ are now arranged twisted by 180° about a vertical axis extending perpendicularly to the sheet plane on top of one another and soldered to one another, soldering defects 12′ occur in the region of those flow guiding contours 10′, which merge into the separating webs 6′, which during the operation of a stacked-plate heat exchanger 2′ equipped with such stacked plates 1′ result in breaches 13′ and thus in a short circuit flow from the fluid from the inlet 3′ via the breach 13′ to the outlet 4. Such short circuit flows in turn bring about a non-homogeneous flow through the entire flow path 5′ and because of this a diminished heat exchange output.

Looking at the stacked plates 1 as per the FIGS. 5 and 6 according to the invention, it is evident from these that with an arrangement of two stacked plates 1 on top of one another twisted by 180° about a vertical axis standing perpendicularly to the sheet plane, a continuous solder seam 9 (in contrast with the embodiments according to the FIGS. 3 and 4) and no bypass flow 11′ (see FIGS. 1 and 2) materialises. By way of this, a homogenous flow through the flow path 5 for example by means of coolant and thus a significantly improved heat exchanger output can be created with extremely low manufacturing means.

In the region of the flow path 5, similar to the stacked plates 1′ not covered by the invention, raised flow guiding contours 10 are provided which can be formed for example as beads and enforce a swirling or even flow through the flow path 5 with coolant. In particular, so-called dead water regions can be avoided by way of such flow guiding contours 10.

Looking at the separating web 6 according to the FIGS. 5 and 6 in more detail, it is evident that two U-shaped protrusions 7 and two separating web portions 8 projecting from the separating web 6 are provided on the same, wherein the separating web portions 8 project substantially perpendicularly to the separating web 6. Obviously, an oriented arrangement deviating from 90° can also be selected. Here, the U-shape materialises in a view direction perpendicularly to the sheet plane and thus perpendicularly to the plane of the stacked plate 1.

It is likewise evident from the FIGS. 5 and 6 that the U-shaped protrusions 7 are arranged on the one side and the separating web portions 8 on the opposite side of the separating web 6.

Upon a soldering of two stacked plates twisted by 180° about a vertical axis relative to one another on top of one another it is achieved that each raised separating web portion 8 of a stacked plate 1 is soldered to a non-raised centre portion 14 of a U-shaped protrusion 7 of a stacked plate 1 arranged on or below the same. Similarly, each raised U-shaped protrusion 7 of a stacked plate 1 is soldered to a non-raised surrounding region 15 of a separating web portion 8 of a stacked plate 1 arranged on or below the same, as a result of which altogether a completely continuous soldered seam 9 can be achieved in the region of the separating web 6, of the protrusions 7 and the separating web portions 8, as is shown according to the FIGS. 5 and 6. This distinguishes the stacked plate 1 according to the invention to a substantial degree from the stacked plates 1′ known from the prior art according to the FIGS. 1 to 4, since in the case of these either an undesirable bypass flow 11′ (see FIGS. 1 and 2) impairing the heat exchanger output or short circuits through soldering defects 12′ and thus breaches 13′ are present, which likewise lead to a diminished heat exchanger output.

Looking at the FIGS. 5 and 6 further it is evident that the separating web 6 extends from an edge 16 of a short side between the inlet 3 and the outlet 4 over a maximum of 80% of the length of the stacked plate 1. By way of the length of the separating web 6, the U-shaped flow path 5 can be influenced.

Generally, the stacked plate 1 can be formed from aluminium or from a sheet metal shaped part, as a result of which not only a cost-effective manufacture is possible but additionally also one of high quality and good heat exchange.

Thus, the heat exchange output can be significantly increased with the stacked plates 1 according to the invention or the stacked-plate heat exchanger 2 according to the invention, since a homogeneous flow through the flow path 5 can be enforced. 

1. A stacked plate for a stacked-plate heat exchanger, comprising: an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path extending U-shaped between the inlet and the outlet, a raised separating web extending in a longitudinal centre, structured and arranged to extend between the inlet and the outlet and provide a U-shaped extent of the flow path, and wherein the raised separating web comprises at least one U-shaped protrusion and at least one separating web portion projecting from the raised separating web.
 2. The stacked plate according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of raised flow guiding contours provided in a region of the flow path.
 3. The stacked plate according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of raised flow guiding contours is structured as a bead.
 4. The stacked plate according to claim 1, wherein the raised separating web includes at least two U-shaped protrusions and at least two separating web portions projecting therefrom.
 5. The stacked plate according to claim 4, wherein the at least two U-shaped protrusions are arranged on one side and the at least two separating web portions are arranged on another side of the separating web relative to the longitudinal centre.
 6. The stacked plate according to claim 1, wherein the raised separating web extends from an edge of a short side between the inlet and the outlet over a maximum of 80% of a length of the stacked plate.
 7. The stacked plate according to claim 1, wherein the stacked plate is an aluminium plate or sheet metal.
 8. A stacked-plate heat exchanger, comprising: at least two stacked plates, the at least two stacked plates respectively including: an inlet, an outlet, and a U-shaped flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet; a raised separating web disposed along a longitudinal centre of the respective stacked plates, the raised separating web structured and arranged to extend between the inlet and the outlet and provide a U-shaped extent of the U-shaped flow path; wherein the raised separating web includes at least one U-shaped protrusion and at least one separating web portion projecting therefrom; and wherein the at least two stacked plates are alternatingly arranged twisted by 180° about a vertical axis on top of one another and are soldered to one another with a continuous soldering seam provided in a region of the separating web.
 9. The stacked-plate heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the at least one separating web portion of one of the at least two stacked plates is soldered to a non-raised centre portion of the at least one U-shaped protrusion of another one of the at least two stacked plates.
 10. The stacked-plate heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the at least one U-shaped protrusion of one of the at least two stacked plates is soldered to a non-raised surrounding region of the at least one separating web portion of another one of the at least two stacked plates.
 11. The stacked-plate heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the at least two stacked plates further includes a plurality of raised flow guiding contours disposed along the U-shaped flow path.
 12. The stacked-plate heat exchanger according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of raised flow guiding contours comprises a bead.
 13. The stacked-plate heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the raised separating web of at least one of the at least two stacked plates includes at least two U-shaped protrusions and at least two separating web portions projecting therefrom.
 14. The stacked-plate heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the at least two U-shaped protrusions are arranged on one side and the at least two separating web portions are arranged on another side of the separating web relative to the longitudinal centre.
 15. The stacked-plate heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the raised separating web of at least one of the at least two stacked plates extends from an edge of a short side of the at least one stacked plate between the inlet and the outlet over a maximum of 80% of a length of the at least one stacked plate.
 16. The stacked-plate heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the at least two stacked plates are aluminium plates.
 17. The stacked-plate heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the at least two stacked plates are sheet metal plates.
 18. The stacked plate according to claim 1, wherein the at least one separating web portion extends perpendicularly to the raised separating web.
 19. The stacked plate according to claim 1, wherein the at least one U-shaped protrusion and the at least one separating web portion are structured and arranged to project in opposite directions from the raised separating web relative to the longitudinal centre.
 20. The stacked plate according to claim 1, wherein the at least one U-shaped protrusion defines a non-raised centre portion. 